Summer Fun in Massachusetts

After our amazing time in the mountains in June, we spent July here in Tucson experiencing the cool down that comes from the monsoon rains.  They are exciting to watch--colorful and intense.  We were ready to go again when they ended, so we headed off to Massachusetts for August.

Mia is getting so big, but it is hard to tell in this picture!!

We got to read a lot with her.

And play miniature golf with Gus

Then we headed to Plum Island where we found great wave hopping.

Bobby and Katie joined us from VT. 

We learned that their family will be growing,  another due in March!!

We had a view of the bay from our rental house.

This provided endless walks through the mud. 

And a great place for kayaking.

June in Colorado

June is the worst summer month in Tucson, so we decided to spend it in Avon CO this summer where we found perfect weather, wildflowers, fireworks, and the Connollys!!  Here are some highlights.

Playing golf at the top of the world at Cordillera.

Hiking at Lionshead at the top of Vail

At Mt. Massive Golf course in Leadville where Sue reminisced about her only hole in one.

It was hard work but we made it to the top!!

4th of July in Avon CO

Beckett is a little flirt.

We took them on a paddle boat ride.

Kelan tried the trampoline.

Everyone loves the gondola at Vail which Beckett calls the "flying train."

Precious moments with grandkids

Mia and Me

Sharing birthdays

Eating cake

Now he is 6!!

The twins can be a handful!!  (Annabelle tried her hand at fingerpainting)

Somehow Katie and Bobby manage it all.

Bridgette loves her new water table.

Life in Vermont.

April

April brought lots of fun.  Sue visited Boulder to babysit for Kelan and Beckett while Jess and Kit got away for Jess's 40th birthday.  Kate flew out to help and to spend some time with her grand nephews.  We went to the Denver Zoo,  explored Boulder, learned to assemble legos and watched Frozen.  The boys were great!!

The boys are always on the lookout for a train ride.

Kelan is into mugging for the camera.

The Denver Zoo is a great place in the Spring.

Also mugging for the camera.

Kelan and Beckett with leopard cubs.  

Kelan loved the tigers the best and brought home a new friend.

This is Beckett's first lego creation which he did all by himself.  

It was hard to leave, but Sue got to fly right over Breckenridge on the way home.  I felt like I could jump right out of the airplane and on to the slopes.  You can see the new Peak 6 trails on the right.

 The Inadas visit us in Tucson for Easter week.

We had this doll house waiting for Mia when she arrived.  She knew it was for her and really loved it all week. 

The boys hang out with their cell phones.

Bob played along with the invitation to kiss the goat.  

Susie preferred the birds.  Ostrich and

lorikeets.

We also went to the zoo, hung out at the pool, and golf course.  What a treat it was to have them.

Winter in Tucson

We decided to take in some of the local events this winter which we have missed the last few years.  Here are some highlights:

The Gem Show

A truly amazing display of gems for buyers from around the world--countless venues and a striking array of color and texture. 

The Tucson Rodeo

One of the country's largest rodeos with all the excitement of bronco busting, calf roping,  and cowboy parades.

The LPGA Tournament

That's Bob with Morgan Pressel.  This was held in Phoenix, and we loved making the trip to see the best lady players in the world.   The Accenture Match Play Tournament is held just down the street, but we didn't get pictures this year.  Alas, it will move on to another location in the future.

The Chihuly Exhibit at the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix

We had seen some of this at the MFA in Boston, but how cool it was displayed among the cactus.

Man made and nature made.

Kelan and Beckett hit the slopes!!

We decided to head to Boulder to catch a ski lesson for Kelan and Beckett at the Eldora ski area where they have been attending for the last five weeks.  Here are some action shots.

All dressed and ready to go.  Just this much took much care and organization from their parents.

They meet their instructor, Mary.

Beckett boards the chair with Mary.

Kelan rides solo. 

This was a little hard to watch.

Beckett makes it down safe and sound.

Grandma couldn't believe it was Kelan coming so fast down the slope.